Last 19 March I had the honor of writing you to ask for your assistance in obtaining the justice that is due to us in your country. A duplicate of my very detailed letter is subjoined to this one. My certainty of the arrival of the ship that carried it reassures me as to the delivery of that dispatch. I do not doubt that it reached you, and I count on your kindness and love of all that is just. I have, therefore, every reason to believe that you have been so good as to involve yourself in this affair in such a way as to protect my rights.

At this time I also send Mr. Oster and Mr. Teterel, the latter a Williamsburg merchant, all the papers necessary to support my claim, such as birth and death certificates, the deed, etc., power of attorney, and all of the appropriate notarized documents to justify my rights. An essential point with regard to the inheritance of an American dying in France is whether our government has allowed his heirs to dispose of his estate freely. Mr. Maclure, whom you probably know, had an interest in such an inheritance. Moreover, your consul, Mr. McRae, who is in America at this time, is aware of that fact. I hope, therefore, that French citizens, who, according to treaty, should enjoy the same prerogatives as citizens of the most favored nations, will have the same advantage, and that the possessions left by my brother-in-law will be returned to his lawful heirs.

We have not given the power of attorney to our friend Mr. Pauly, because he will appear in court as a witness, and he cannot be both a witness and a claimant at the same time.